Eric Spruill
The Edmond Sun
EDMOND — The No. 1-ranked Santa Fe boy’s basketball team will be making their third straight state tournament appearance today when they take on Norman North in the quarterfinals in Skiatook.
Under head coach Shawn Schenk the Wolves have come within seconds of playing in the finals only to have it slip away. Last year’s squad was one and done, but don’t think that is about to happen this year. The Wolves have one of their most talented squads since the days of Obi Muonelo and Ekpe Udoh, and is primed for a run to the finals this weekend.
“Oh, they’re hungry,” Schenk said. “Everybody in this thing is prepared to play. I just think this team has a whole nother level they can take it to. We’re one of the best teams in the state, and there is nobody out there we can’t beat.”
Schenk has been to the state tournament three times with the Wolves and went the year before he came to Santa Fe with Enid. He’s picked a few things up over the years.
“I remember going with Enid, it was their first time there since the Price brothers. We had a lot of close wins along the way and it was a fun ride. But, I think we were too busy. We set too much things up for them to do, I mean the whole town was excited. We said we were focused, but there were too many distractions.”
“It’s about the basketball. You have to look at what’s your focus. Are you there to play, or are you just happy to be there.”
Starting point guard Drew Hall has been there, twice. He played in a semifinals loss to Putnam City North, a team that has played spoiler for the Wolves twice in the last three years.
“Every team we’ve sent to state has played well. We were probably a block out away from playing in the finals two years ago,” Schenk said. “Last year’s team didn’t have the most talented individuals, but they played so well together. They challenged Union. That was a fun team to be around.”
“We will be leaning on our seniors this year, the guys with experience. Our junior’s have been there, we even took some freshmen with us last year. Experience is what you want going into the tournament.”
And a star. Josh Richardson has the ability to take over a game on both ends of the court, while few teams have a better rebounding guard than Mahlon Jones.
Norman North poses a threat to the Wolves in the opener. They are big in the post, going 6-8 and 6-5, while guard Patrick Schaefer is one of the best around.
“The best way to describe them is fundamentally sound. They do not beat themselves. A lot of people may watch them and walk away unimpressed, but anyone who knows basketball enjoys watching them. They don’t turn down open looks, they don’t make silly turnovers, you have to beat them because they won’t do it themselves,” Schenk said. “They are a scary teams. About like Jenks, very solid team.”
The Wolves expect to see a lot of zone against the Timberwolves. Schenk believes the key to the game will be making the T-Wolves uncomfortable on offense, Schaefer in particular. They want to force turnovers which will allow their athleticism to take over, by being able to beat Norman North down the court in transition.
The game is set for a 2 p.m. tip at Skiatook. Should the Wolves win they would face the Putnam City/Jenks at the Mabee Center at 9 a.m. on Friday.
